The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

105

As Evelyn prepared breakfast for Samantha the following day, her thoughts were scattered. A mix of excitement and anxiety clouded her mind. Today was the day. Today, she would finally face her parents and tell them everything.

After dropping Samantha off at school, Evelyn returned home and took a deep breath as she surveyed the living room. It would be her father's first visit to her apartment, and everything had to be perfect. Hosting her parents for dinner was one thing; telling them about Samantha, Sandra, and Derek was another. Her stomach churned at the thought, but she forced herself to focus.

She started by wiping down the kitchen counters and straightening the already immaculate furniture. Then, the doorbell rang, and Evelyn hurried to answer it, thinking it was Maya, who had gone out to help her get the items she needed to make dinner.

Instead of Maya, Rayna stood at the door with a wide smile and a bag of pastries. "Thought you could use some extra hands and dessert," Rayna said, her tone lighthearted but with an underlying concern. She knew how much this evening meant to Evelyn.

Evelyn exhaled in relief. "Thank you. You're such an Angel."

Rayna set the bags on the counter and unpacked them into the refrigerator. "Everything will be fine, Evie.

You've been stressing over this for years, but your parents will understand. Despite all that has happened, your Dad loves you, and I'm sure he will be happy to hear everything from you finally." Evelyn's hands trembled slightly as she joined Rayna in unpacking, "I don't know, Ray. My dad... he's traditional, and he's always expected so much from me. I'm scared of how he'll react to Samantha. To the fact that I had a child out of wedlock and kept it from him. And you know my stepmom... although she's wonderful and has been good to me, she's still Sandra's mother. What if she sides with her when I tell them about the affair?"

Rayna came up beside her, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "You're overthinking and overworrying.

You're not responsible for what Sandra did. Claire might be upset, but she's always cared about you. Trust me, she won't take Sandra's side. You're her daughter, too. And as for your dad, well... I'm sure your Dad will understand that you did what you had to do. Just be honest. You've raised a wonderful daughter. He'll see that."

Evelyn offered a shaky smile, her heart still pounding in her chest. "I hope you're right."

Soon, Maya returned with the groceries, and as the hours passed, both Rayna and Maya worked side by side with her to help her prepare a lavish meal.

Once it was time to get Samantha from school, Maya left to pick her up while Evelyn and Rayna set the table with the best dinnerware. Evelyn fussed over the placement of the flowers, moving them from one spot to another until Rayna finally laughed and took the vase out of her hands

"Relax," Rayna said, placing the flowers in the center of the table. "It's going to be fine."

Evelyn wiped her palms on her apron. "I just... I want everything to be perfect."

Rayna smiled. "It already is."

After some time, Rayna left. Evelyn felt her heart lighten slightly when Samantha ran into the house a short while later with an excited expression on her face.

Samantha sniffed the air, which was filled with the scent of roast chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables.

"Are we having a party, Mommy?" Samantha asked, her bright eyes scanning the decorated table and the kitchen bustling with food.

Evelyn knelt to her daughter's height, smoothing a hand over Samantha's soft curls. "Not a party, darling.

But your grandfather is coming to visit tonight, and I want you to be on your best behavior, okay?"

Samantha's eyes widened with excitement.

"Grandfather? Grandma Claire's husband?" She asked, and Evelyn smiled as she nodded.

"Yes, baby. My father. You saw your Daddy yesterday, and now you get to see your Mommy's Daddy. He's very important to me, so I want you to be a good girl as always when he arrives," Evelyn said, her own nerves bubbling up again.

Samantha beamed and gave her mother a tight hug. "I will, Mommy. I promise."

As the time for dinner approached, Evelyn received a call from Derek. The sound of his voice immediately helped ease some of her tension. "Hello, love! I'm sorry I haven't called all day. I've been pretty busy. How have you been? How's Sam? And how's everything going?" he asked. Evelyn glanced around the room, still scanning for any imperfections. "Sam is fine. I've been busy, but I think we're almost ready."

"Do you need anything on my way over? Wine?

Dessert?" Derek's tone was casual, but she could hear the concern hidden beneath his words.

"No, everything is set. I think..." Evelyn paused.

"Actually, maybe wine. Just in case."

Derek chuckled. "I'll bring something special. I'll see you soon."Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Evelyn hung up the phone, feeling a small sense of comfort, knowing Derek would be there soon. He was always so calm and steady. Just having him near would help her as she prepared for the inevitable conversation with her parents.

True to his word, Derek arrived a little while before her parents. He walked in with a bottle of wine in one hand and a box of desserts in the other. Evelyn, who had just finished freshening up, greeted him at the door, her nerves still evident, but she smiled when she saw him.

"You brought dessert?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You can never have too much""" Derek replied, giving her a reassuring smile. He set the wine and dessert down on the dining table and pulled her into a gentle embrace. "You're doing great. Everything smells and looks perfect."

Evelyn let out a small, shaky breath as she rested her head against his chest. "I'm scared, Derek. What if my dad... what if he's furious?"

Derek gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "He might be upset at first, but I'm sure he'll come around. And don't worry, I'm here for you. We'll face this together."

Before Evelyn could respond, Samantha came rushing into the room, her face lighting up when she saw Derek. "Daddy!" she exclaimed, running toward him.

Derek knelt down to greet her with a warm hug. "Hey there, baby. How was school?"

"Exciting! I have so much to tell you. Are you staying for dinner? Will you meet my grandpa?"

Derek glanced up at Evelyn with a knowing smile. "Of course, I am staying. I don't want to miss any of this deliciousness I smell. But first, why don't we see what you learned today before your grandparents arrive?"

Samantha grinned and grabbed his hand, leading him toward her bedroom. Evelyn watched them go, her heart swelling at the sight. Derek was wonderful with Samantha, and she was grateful for that. Evelyn's stomach tightened with anticipation as the clock ticked closer to dinner time. She had just finished checking on the roast in the oven when the doorbell rang. Her heart leaped into her throat. This was it.

She hurried to the door, smoothing her hands over her dress before opening it. Her father, looking a little confused, stood there, and her stepmother, who wore a pleasant smile. "Evelyn?" Eric said, furrowing his brow as he looked from his daughter to his wife. "What's going on?

Claire, didn't you say we were going out for dinner."

Claire gave Evelyn a knowing glance before turning to Eric. "Yes, darling. Evelyn wanted us to come here for dinner tonight."

Knowing how difficult her husband could be, she had made him think they were going on a date and were stopping by the way to say hello to a friend.

Eric's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening as he looked at his wife. "Claire, what is this?"

Evelyn stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I'm sorry for the surprise, Dad. But I asked Mom to bring you here because... I need to talk to you both about everything."

Before either Eric or Claire could respond, a small voice piped up from the hallway. "Mommy, is Grandpa here?"

Evelyn's breath hitched, and she turned to see Samantha standing at the edge of the hallway, her eyes wide with excitement. Samantha ran up to her mother and grabbed her hand.

Eric's expression changed in an instant. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of the little girl standing next to Evelyn, looking like a mirror image of his daughter at that age except for the blue eyes. Grandpa?

"Is this him, Mommy? Is this my grandfather?" She asked, then her gaze shifted to Claire, and she embraced Claire, who was smiling down at her. "Grandma! I've missed you!"

Evelyn swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest as she looked from her father to Samantha.

"Dad, this is Samantha. Your granddaughter."

For a moment, there was only stunned silence.